Father of shooting victim speaks

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(Memphis) A "keep out sign" is planted firmly at the Hunter Oaks Apartments in Whitehaven to help crime stay away. But according to police reports, it was Develle Johnson’s neighbor that shot him in his doorway early Saturday.

"As soon as he opened the door, they shot him," said Johnson's father, who did not want to be identified. He tells News Channel 3, his son and son’s cousin got into a fight earlier in the day with Adolpheus Virges and Roger Porter.

"His cousin whooped the other guys cousin, I guess they came back for revenge.," said Johnson's father.

The feat of revenge woke up Johnson’s dad, he was sleeping in the next room.

"I seen my son laying down with a gunshot wound to his stomach. It was terrible, because I seen his intestine hanging out. I thought I was going to lose my son right then and there." said Johnson's father.

It was a painful image burned into the dad’s mind.

"Terrible. I feel like my whole world had ended," expressed Johnson's dad.

Now, Johnson’s father is thankful his son is doing better in the hospital.

"He’s talking now, he’s talking and laughing," said Johnson's father.

And hoping folks take this message to heart.

"Violence is stupid. Its real stupid. Everybody is saying they are grown, but they are still acting like kids. If you are grown, put away kid stuff and do grown up stuff. Quit killing each other over nothing." said Johnson's father, who is reminding people, not everyone is so lucky.

"I know he’s going to live from behind that," said Johnson's father.

Virges and Porter head to court Monday. They face a list of charges, including, second degree murder and reckless endangerment.